Latch assembly

ABSTRACT

A latch assembly for connecting a first flange to a second flange by a rotatable actuating member which extends through an opening in the second flange and has an end portion movable selectively to a latched position through the first flange and to an unlatched position away from the first flange. A cam member is carried by the outer surface of the first flange adjacent the opening therethrough. A lateral projection on the actuating member engages the cam member upon rotation of the actuating member an angular distance in one direction and moves through the opening in the first flange into engagement with the second flange upon rotation of the actuating member an annular distance in the opposite direction.

United States Patent Lancaster Sept. 16, 1975 LATCH ASSEMBLY PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Moore {75] Inventor: Raymond L. Lancaster, Cullman,Attorney or Flrm'jennmgs Carter &

Ala. Thompson [73] Assignee: Lanson Industries, lnc., Cullman,

A111. 1 ABSTRACT [22] Filcd: Man 1 1974 A latch assembly for connectinga first flange to a sec 0nd flange by a rotatable actuating member whichex- 1 pp N05 447,080 tends through an opening in the second flange andhas an end portion movable selectively to a latched posi- [szl U S Cl292/257 292/241 tion through the first flange and to an unlatched posigInt Cl 2 i l 3/04 tion away from the first flange. A cam member is cargField of ried by the outer surface of the first flange adjacent I i Qthe o ening therethrough. A lateral projection on the actuating memberengages the cam member upon ro- [QM References Cited tation of theactuating member an angular distance in T TAT S P TE one direction andmoves through the opening in the ED S E A S first flange into engagementwith the second flange g upon rotation of the actuating member anannular dis- 8 urp y 2373991 2/1959 Larimore et al. 292/58 X tdnce m theOpposite dlrectlon 3,238,834 3/1966 Applcbcrry 24/221 R X 4 Cl i 4 D wiFi LATCH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toa latch assembly and more particularly to means for detachablyconnecting a pair of flange-like members to each other, such asoutturned flanges carried by a receptacle and a lid therefor.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, difficulties havebeen encountered in securing relatively large lid members formed ofsheet material to a receptacle also formed of sheet material due to thefact that the receptacle and lid are both flexible, thus necessitating afirm connection between the connected members.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with my present invention,I provide a latch assembly which comprises a rotatable actuating memberwhich extends through an opening in the flange carried by the receptacleand has an end portion which is movable selectively into a latchedposition through an opening in a flange-like member carried by the lidand to an unlatched position away from the lid. A cam member is carriedby the outer surface of the lid flange adjacent the openingtherethrough. A lateral projection on the actuating member engages thecam member upon rotation of the actuating member an angular distance inone direction and moves through the opening in the lid flange intoengagement with the receptacle flange upon rotation of the actuatingmember an angular distance in the opposite direction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A latch assembly embodying features of myinvention is illustrated in the accompany drawing, forming a part ofthis application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing my improved latch assemblyconnecting a pair of flange-like members of a receptacle and its lid toeach other;

FIG. 2 is a view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG.. 1;and,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional view through the end portion of therotatable actuating member and taken generally in the direction of theline 4-4 of FIG. 2, the rotatable actuating member being removed fromthe remainder of the apparatus for the sake of clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing for a betterunderstanding of my invention, I show a fragment of a sheet metalreceptacle 10 and a fragment of a sheet metal lid 11 for the receptacle10. The receptacle 10 is provided with an outturned flange-like member12 and the lid 11 is provided with an outturned flange-like member 13,as shown. To reinforce the receptacle 10 and the lid 1 1, reinforcing,angle members 14 and 16 are secured to the receptacle I0 and lid 11,respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the outermost flanges 17 and 18 of theangle members 14 and 16, respectively, extend alongside and are securedto the adjacent flanges l2 and 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a common opening 19 is provided through theflanges l2 and 17 and a common opening 21 is provided through theflanges 13 and 18 for receiving an end portion 22 of a rotatableactuating member 23. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the opening 21 isadapted to move into alignment with the opening 19 upon movement of thelid 11 toward the closed position relative to the receptacle 10. The endportion 22 of the rotatable actuating member 23 is joined to a laterallyextending arm 24 having a handle member 26 adjacent the free endthereof, as shown in FIG. 1.

Secured to the outer surface of the flange 13 is a plate member 27 whichcarries a pair of oppositely dis posed cam members 28 having outwardlysloping cam surfaces 29. Preferably, the cam members 28 are formed bypunching material out of the plate member 27 to provide an opening 31between the cam members 28, as shown in FIG. 2. In like manner, a platemember 27 is secured to the outer surface of the flange 12 which carriesa pair of oppositely disposed cam members 28 having outwardly slopingcam surfaces 29, as described hereinabove.

The end portion 22 of the actuating member 23 carries a laterialprojection in the form of a transverse pin 32 adjacent its end, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 3. The pin 32 projects from opposite sides of the endportion 22, as shown in FIG. 2, in a position to ride on the camsurfaces 29 carried by the cam members 28. In like manner, a lateralprojection in the form of a transverse pin 32" extends through asuitable opening in the rotatable actuating member 23 in spaced relationto the transverse pin 32 and in position to engage the outwardly slopingcam surfaces 29 of the cam members 28 carried by the flanges 12 and 17,as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transverse pin 32 is of a length less than thelength of the opening 31 provided in the plate member 27 whereby uponrotation of the actuating member 23 in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 2, the pin 32 moves into alignment with the opening 31 and isfree to move downwardly through the opening 31 and the opening 21provided in the flange members 13 and 18. The pin 32 then moves to aposition adjacent the inner surface of the flange 17, as shown in FIG.3. Since the opening 19 through the flanges 17 and 12 is of a size toreceive the actuating member 23 with a rotating fit and the pin 32extends beyond the opening 19, the pin 32 cannot pass downwardly throughthe opening 19 whereby the actuating member 23 is always connected tothe flange members 12 and 17 carried by the receptacle 10.

The end portion 22 of the rotatable actuating member 23 is provided witha threaded opening 33 for receiving an externally threaded member 34which is adapted for axial movement relative to the end portion 22.Also, as shown in FIG. 4, an elongated slot 36 is provided through theend portion 22 for receiving the transverse pin 32. The pin 32 issecured intermediate its ends to a spring abutment member 37 which isadapted to engage a compression spring 38 whereby the pin 32 is urgedtoward the movable member 34. Accordingly, the transverse pin 32 may bemoved to selected longitudinal positions relative to the slot 36 byrotating the movable member 34. A tool engaging recess 39 is provided inthe end of the movable member 34 for receiving a suitable tool wherebythe member 34 may be rotated in opposite directions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a recess 41 is provided in the outer surface29 of each cam member 28 in position to receive the laterally projectingpin 32 or 32", as the case may be, upon rotation of the actuating member 23 to the locked position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Accordingly,the recesses 41 retain the pins 32 and 32" in the locked position untilsufficicnt force is exerted to rotate the actuating member 23 so thatthe pins move out of the recesses 41.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a resilient. compressible strip 42 ispositioned between the flanges 17 and 18 inwardly of the rotatableactuating member 23. the compressible strip 42 is of a cross sectionalthickness to fill the space between the flanges 17 and 18 justprior torotation of the actuating member 23 to move the pins 32 and 32" in acounterclockwise direction. as viewed in FIG. 2. Accordingly, uponrotation of the actuating member 23 in a counterclockwise direction. asviewed in FIG. 2, the pins 32 and 32" engage the cam members 28 and thusforce the flanges 17 and 18 toward each other to compress the strip 42.The strip 42 is thus in the compressed position while the transversepins 32 and 32 are in the locked position shown in FIGS. 1. 2 and 3.

From the foregoing description. the operation of my improved latchassembly will be readily understood. to secure the lid 11 to thereceptacle 10, the lid 11 is moved toward the receptacle 10 with theopenings 19 and 21 in alignment with each other. The actuating member 23is always attached to the flanges l2 and 17 carried by the receptacle 10due to the fact that the pin 32 projects beyond the sides of the opening19 and will not pass therethrough. With the openings 19 and 21 inalignment with each other, the end portion 22 of the actuating member 23is moved upwardly through the opening 21 and the openings 31 in theplate member 27 and is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction. asviewed in FIG. 2, whereby the transverse pins 32 and 32" ride along thecam surfaces 29 of the cam members 28 to thus move the flange memberscarried by the receptacle 10 and lid 1 1 toward each other until thepins move into the recesses 41 provided in the cam members 28. As thepins 32 and 32" move along the cam surfaces 29 the compressible strip 42is compressed between the flanges 17 and 18 as they move toward eachother.

To release the latch assembly from the positions shown in FIGS. 1., 2and 3. the rotatable actuating member 23 is rotated from the solid lineposition shown in PK}. 3 to the dotted line position. That is. theactuating member 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 2. As the transverse pin 32 moves into parallel alignment with theelongated opening 31 provided in the plate 27, the pin 32 is then freeto drop downwardly through the openings 31 and 21 to the dotted lineposition shown in FIG. 3.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have devised an improvedlatch assembly which is adapted to positively secure a lidlikc member toa receptacle. By providing the transverse pins which ride along the camsurfaces of the cam members 28. the adjacent flanges of the receptacleand lid are moved inwardly in a controlled manner to a predeterminedposition relative to each other. By providing the recesses 41 in the camsurfaces 29. the actuating member 23 is secured in the locked positionto prevent accidental release of the latch assembly. Also. by providingthe opening 19 of a size to prevent the passage of the pin 32therethrough and providing the openings 31 and 21 of a size to permitthe free passage of the pin 32. when in the unlatched position. the endportion 22 moves downwardly away from the flanges carried by the lid 1 1to a position adjacent the flange 17 carried by the receptacle 10.Accordingly. the actuating member 23 is always attached to thereceptacle. thus preventing loss thereof. F urthermore. by providing theadjustable member 34 and the compression spring 38. the position of thetransverse pin 32 may be varied by merely rotating the member 34 in thedesired direction. Furthemiore. by providing the compressible strip 42between the flanges l7 and 18. an effective seal is provided between thereceptacle and its lid and at the same time an additional force isexerted against the cam members 28 whereby the transverse pins 32 and32" remain in the recesses 41 while the latch assembly is in the latchedposition.

While 1 have shown my invention in but one form. it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited. but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What 1 claim is:

1. In a latch assembly for detachably attaching a first flange-likemember to a second flange-like member.

a. there being an opening through said first flangelike member disposedto move into alignment with an opening through said second flange-likemember.

b. a rotatable actuating member extending through said opening throughsaid second flange-like member and having an end portion disposed tomove selectively to a latched position through said first flange-likemember and to an unlatched position away from said first flange-likemember.

c. at least one cam member carried by the outer surface of said firstflange-like member adjacent the opening thercthrough and having anoutwardly sloping cam surface.

d. a second cam member having an outwardly sloping cam surface carriedby the outer surface of said second flange-like member ajdacent theopening therethrough.

e. a first lateral projection carried by said end portion of saidactuating member of a size and shape to engage said cam surface carriedby said first flangelike member and move said first flange-like memherto latched position toward said second flangelike member upon rotationof said actuating member an angular distance in one direction and tomove through said opening through said first flange-like member tounlatched position adjacent the inner surface of said second flange-likemember upon rotation of said actuating member an angular distance in theopposite direction whereby said actuating member is attached to saidsecond flange-like member at all times. and

f. a second lateral projection carried by said actuating member inposition to engage said cam member carried by said second flange-likemember upon rotation of said actuating member in said one direction.

2. A latch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a pair of oppositelydisposed cam members are carried by the outer surface of each said firstand second flange-like member at opposite sides of the openingtherethrough and each said laterial projection is a pinlike memberextending through said actuating member and beyond opposite sidesthereof.

3. A latch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a longitudinallyextending slot is provided through said end portion of said actuatingmember for receiving said the outer end of said end portion and engagingthe lateral projection and adjustable means retains said latoutermostside of said lateral projection. and eral projection at selectedlongitudinal positions relab. resilient means urging said lateralprojection into tive to said slot. engagement with said movable memberwhereby 4. A latch assembly as defined in claim 3 in which 5 saidlateral projection is movable in response to said adjustable meanscomprises movement of said movable member.

a. a movable member in threaded engagement with

1. In a latch assembly for detachably attaching a first flangelike member to a second flange-like member, a. there being an opening through said first flange-like member disposed to move into alignment with an opening through said second flange-like member, b. a rotatable actuating member extending through said opening through said second flange-like member and having an end portion disposed to move selectively to a latched position through said first flange-like member and to an unlatched position away from said first flange-like member, c. at least one cam member carried by the outer surface of said first flange-like member adjacent the opening therethrough and having an outwardly sloping cam surface, d. a second cam member having an outwardly sloping cam surface carried by the outer surface of said second flange-like member ajdacent the opening therethrough, e. a first lateral projection carried by said end portion of said actuating member of a size and shape to engage said cam surface carried by said first flange-like member and move said first flange-like member to latched position toward said second flange-like member upon rotation of said actuating member an angular distance in one direction and to move through said opening through said first flange-like member to unlatched position adjacent the inner surface of said second flange-like member upon rotation of said actuating member an angular distance in the opposite direction whereby said actuating member is attached to said second flange-like member at all times, and f. a second lateral projection carried by said actuating member in position to engage said cam member carried by said second flange-like member upon rotation of said actuating member in said one direction.
 2. A latch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a pair of oppositely disposed cam members are carried by the outer surface of each said first and second flange-like member at opposite sides of the opening therethrough and each said laterial projection is a pinlike member extending through said actuating member and beyond opposite sides thereof.
 3. A latch assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a longitudinally extending slot is provided through said end portion of said actuating member for receiving said lateral projection and adjustable means retains said lateral projection at selected longitudinal positions relative to said slot.
 4. A latch assembly as defined in claim 3 in which said adjustable means comprises a. a movable member in threaded engagement with the outer end of said end portion and engaging the outermost side of said lateral projection, and b. resilient means urging said lateral projection into engagement with said movable member whereby said lateral projection is movable in response to movement of said movable member. 